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The conundrum of a modest earner.

  • Thread starter Thread starter sy2pie
  • Start date Start date
sy2pie said:
That alternative ring mount is perfect. I trust the diamonds and gems chosen to go with it on the site would fit as its from the same place?
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We usually recommend finding a gem from one of the trusted gem vendors and later finding a setting that first the budget and the stone. Do you have a front runner for a stone?

I was also thinking about something else.. would you entertain purchasing a diamond in a setting with emerald accents. Something like this perhaps?
Nice diamond on budget: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3758062

Emerald accent stone setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...ear-shaped-emerald-engagement-ring-item-22626
 
She loves green and turquoise. I have bought her emerald earrings and a necklace from America on my travels. She loves them.

I am flipping between emeralds and diamonds. A green sapphire would be a lovely idea. I am pretty sold on the idea of the Gabriel Eliza mount or something similar (this in white gold would be ideal too http://www.maevona.com/ring-detail.html?rid=1389).

Sadly looking at diamonds. The diamond I want to fix in the link above comes to about $2000. Are sapphires more affordable? If so, this might be the perfect solution for us because sapphires are more durable, she loves green, and it will make my modest wage stretch further. Which ticks all the boxes.
 
That diamond seems to meet all the requirements of clairty and colour. Is that enough carat for an engagement ring?

SimoneDi said:
We usually recommend finding a gem from one of the trusted gem vendors and later finding a setting that first the budget and the stone. Do you have a front runner for a stone?

I was also thinking about something else.. would you entertain purchasing a diamond in a setting with emerald accents. Something like this perhaps?
Nice diamond on budget: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3758062

Emerald accent stone setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...ear-shaped-emerald-engagement-ring-item-22626
Click to expand...
 
Lovely setting @SimoneDi but think @sy2pie would need at least 1/2 carat in that setting (according to the listing on James allen). If there is an option for that I think it could be lovely!
On that theme there are also some lovely emerald halo mounts on ivy and rose etsy that might be worth considering with a separately sourced diamond?
 
sy2pie said:
That diamond seems to meet all the requirements of clairty and colour. Is that enough carat for an engagement ring?
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In terms of cut and overall specifications, the diamond is lovely. I am also originally from Europe and gave friends who have gotten engaged with 0.2ct stones, so “size” is a relative concept. 0.4 is a lovely size on budget. The diameter of the stone is 4.8mm so a bit smaller than the created emerald you were looking at. However, I would pick a diamond or a natural stone over created anything any day of the week. :)
 
meely said:
Lovely setting @SimoneDi but think @sy2pie would need at least 1/2 carat in that setting (according to the listing on James allen). If there is an option for that I think it could be lovely!
On that theme there are also some lovely emerald halo mounts on ivy and rose etsy that might be worth considering with a separately sourced diamond?
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Ah didn’t see that requirement.. perhaps JA can modify. I will also see what other diamond I can find on budget.
 
So i have a few questions,
How large are her fingers? Do you need a lot of finger coverage or would something smaller work? My initial e ring was .5 carat center stone and I didnt really want to go larger, my sapphire is 1 carat and again, i cant really go larger, so finger size is a factor in the size stone you'd want. Looking at the diamond the dimensions are only a tiny bit smaller than a half carat and probably wouldnt be visibly notable, but you could probably get a larger sapphire with the same amount of money.
I'm rambling, i think deciding on a look is key, do you think she'll visually like a colored stone or diamond more? Decide on that and then we can help you go from there :)
 
I agree with @Sabrina31 that deciding on a “look” is key before proceeding. Do you know if your SO would be ok with a halo, or a three stone, or if she would prefer a vine design. Not to make hints super confusing, but this has been one of my favorite e-ring designs of all time- it is a diamond in an emeral halo.
E6197736-5669-48D6-BAC7-FB04D660873D.jpeg

I think that you have many options, but think about what she would like the most.
 
I'm not sure she would like a hallo. It's a bit much for her style.

I'm currently waiting on a measuring stick to measure her other rings. Currently I don't know her size. She is incredibly tall and thin though, her fingers are quite long a delicate. Perhaps 0.5-0.6ct would be ok in that case. It's all about proportion.
 
sy2pie said:
I'm not sure she would like a hallo. It's a bit much for her style.

I'm currently waiting on a measuring stick to measure her other rings. Currently I don't know her size. She is incredibly tall and thin though, her fingers are quite long a delicate. Perhaps 0.5-0.6ct would be ok in that case. It's all about proportion.
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Good plan on getting her ring size. It really is all about proportion and gems can be beautiful in any and all sizes.

Btw if you want to go with the three stone ring option, a diamond with emerald side stones will be an amazing combination. Here are two round emerald pairs that I love. One is slightly smaller than the other and therefore the price difference.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/emerald/yem120aa/&1244716636

https://www.etsy.com/listing/581204...?ga_search_query=pair&ref=shop_items_search_8
 
What is your budget? Then we would have a better idea where you point you. If your budget is low and she actually likes synthetic emeralds, get an emerald in a diamond accented setting. If it is higher, you can probably afford a real emerald. Just buy from a trusted seller. There is always a risk with any ring damaging it, but if she loves emeralds I would lean towards including in it her ring.
This is a private seller, but I think this stone looks beautiful from the pics. You would most likely need to get a custom setting for it however. David Klass is well recommended if you don't have a local jeweler. https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...st-beautiful-emerald-ever-97-cts-now-for-sale

I don't know anything about this seller, but they specialize in emerald rings
http://www.greeningold.com/html/natural_emerald_rings_genuine_.htm
 
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It all depends on the ring. If it's a good deal and absolutely perfect I can stretch to £1000-1500.

What is the rule of thumb? A months income? Two?
 
sy2pie said:
It all depends on the ring. If it's a good deal and absolutely perfect I can stretch to £1000-1500.

What is the rule of thumb? A months income? Two?
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OP, there is no rule really, it is whatever you are comfortable spending. Based on what you have shared, your SO doesn’t seem to expect “large” or expensive, so at the end of the day it is really about picking the best value for your money and celebrating your love and future life together.

Do you know if you want to go for an emerald/green center stone or diamond center stone and emerald side stones/accents?
 
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I'm leaning towards diamonds and sapphires after what I've been hearing now. Tried and true.

She doesn't want anything too over the top. But she deserves something excellent.
 
sy2pie said:
It all depends on the ring. If it's a good deal and absolutely perfect I can stretch to £1000-1500.

What is the rule of thumb? A months income? Two?
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When looking online at average carat weights and cost, remember that a lot of that comes from stateside, where everything is bigger. The uk is a different set of norms. My opinion is don't go into debt for this ring unless she has indicated that she wants a certain size, a specific setting, etc. My partner spent £2k, in a bricks and mortar shop, which for him was stretching the budget at 1.5 months takehome salary. (That very same setting and diamond can be bought online for £1250. Ordering online can be scary but it will save you a chunk of cash.) I think it is also the amount of effort and thought that goes into the ring itself that adds value. Your being on this forum already shows that. :clap:
 
sy2pie said:
I'm leaning towards diamonds and sapphires after what I've been hearing now. Tried and true.

She doesn't want anything too over the top. But she deserves something excellent.
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Great, ignore my last suggestion then.

This is what I would do if I were you..
Here is a lovely and slightly larger than the last posted diamond: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3595892

I would contact IDJewelry in NYC and see if they can source it for you or another alike: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3595892 tell them that PS sent you.

I would purchase this pair from Yvonne Raley and have them shipped to IDJ. It is a lovely pair with amazing vibrant color, I think that your girlfriend will really love them. https://www.etsy.com/listing/581204...?ga_search_query=pair&ref=shop_items_search_8

IDJ can find/make a nice 14kt WG setting on budget. Here is an example: https://idjewelry.com/round-cut-3-stone-diamond-engagement-ring-in-0-55ctw-idj8821.html

All in the total will come to about $1600 and leave you enough for the 20% vat on imports.
 
@sy2pie presume you are in the UK apologies if I am teaching granny to suck eggs but don't forget import tax!
 
Mine was £2k too, and about 1.6x his pay. Already mentioned it was an antique shop, appraisal for insurance replacement is more than double what he paid.
 
Do you want to stick with a blue green or go true blue?
 
Here are two blue-ish green sapphires that i like the color on, and i think combined with either the maevona setting or the gabriel ny setting would make a very pretty engagement ring. i can also see it with 2 diamond side stones.
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-39-carat-blue-green-montana-sapphire-heated/
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-48-carat-teal-blue-montana-sapphire-heated/

I bought through earths treasury once, the cutting was gorgeous but i ended up returning and that process was really easy, which i value when shopping gemstones.
 
sy2pie said:
Hello everyone. I have been reading this forum while in search of the perfect engagement ring for the love of my life, but this is the first time posting.

As the title says, I am a person who doesn't earn much, so I need to make sure the ring I am buying is good value.

My partner loves emeralds, white gold, and likes lab stones, and I think I have found the perfect ring for her. The design and white gold are of acceptable quality, but I am just not sure of the stone.

This is above my pay grade, but I am willing to throw everything but the kitchen sink to buy it. But I am just not convinced that £1870 is good value for a 1/8 ct emerald.

Any opinion on the matter would be appreciated.

https://www.brilliantearth.com/rings/cyorings/purchase_review/?did=1464479&sid=1152499&ucg=true
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Based on my limited knowledge but recent intense research - it sounds like a lot to me.
You should definitely do more shopping around, make a list of gem sites, visit them, click around and compare as much as possible. Check many US gem cutters and you may do even better with some in Thailand and Hing Kong.

I started out with the idea that a lab created sapphire will do just fine as long as it is a high-quality one and cannot be told apart from the real thing with the naked eye.
My jeweler got in a few such stones - and I was able to distinguish the lab from the real thing in a heart beat.

At that moment I changed strategy and went for smaller but real.

A lab created emerald that small should not cost much at all.

What I am trying to say is definitely do the shopping around and don't exclude a real emerald, especially at this size. With some work, it is doable even as a modest earner.
 
LJsapphire2304 said:
Shop around, have a look at auctions if you aren't averse to second hand (vintage/antique). My FI is also a modest earner, he picked up my ring (in avatar pic) for not much more than your budget. This was from an antique shop. (He bartered for a few hundred off the asking price & sizing & repair of milgrain was included).
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LJ,

I love your sapphire ring! It has that family heirloom patina and the make from a time where just about everything seemed to be done more...thoroughly or judiciously.
I would LOVE an estate, pre-owned sapphire ring (especially after having had my most beloved family heirloom stolen over a decade ago). But I haven't yet seen one that would meet all my criteria.

I LOVE yours though - a real beauty; and so nice to hear it didn't break the bank either.
Another bonus of beautiful jewelry with a history.
 
@jewelsforalltosee Thanks, my friends Ering is from there and is so pretty. She had a great experience shopping there.
 
sapphiredream said:
LJ,

I love your sapphire ring! It has that family heirloom patina and the make from a time where just about everything seemed to be done more...thoroughly or judiciously.
I would LOVE an estate, pre-owned sapphire ring (especially after having had my most beloved family heirloom stolen over a decade ago). But I haven't yet seen one that would meet all my criteria.

I LOVE yours though - a real beauty; and so nice to hear it didn't break the bank either.
Another bonus of beautiful jewelry with a history.
Click to expand...

Thank you :mrgreen2::kiss2:
Sorry to hear of your family heirloom, hope you find something you like one da :cool2:
 
Stunning. And a great deal! A but bulky for her delicate long fingers though.
 
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